In a recent operation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search and seizure actions against KY Nanje Gowda, MLA of Malur, Karnataka, and his associates under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The investigation was launched based on an FIR filed by Masti PS, Kolar District, Karnataka, against Nanje Gowda and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The search actions were carried out in connection with a case related to the illegal allotment of Government Land worth Rs.150 Crore. Nanje Gowda, the Chairman of the Land Grant Committee, and other accused, who were members of the committee, including V Nagraj, who held the post of Tahsildar, Malur during the relevant period, allegedly abused their power.
The search, conducted on 14 premises linked to the accused persons, has resulted in the seizure of more than Rs.25 lakhs in cash, documents related to movable and immovable properties exceeding Rs.50 Crore, along with various incriminating documents, and digital data.
During the search, it was discovered that Nanje Gowda, in collusion with other committee members and revenue officials, granted approximately 80 acres of land worth around Rs.150 Crore in a single month under four meetings. This was accomplished through the creation of fictitious and bogus documents. Subsequently, based on an Inspection report by the then Regional Commissioner, the illegal allotment of land was canceled. The investigation revealed that the land allocation was done in blatant violation of guidelines and involved the forgery of documents.
Surprisingly, the search action also brought to light another scandal related to ongoing recruitment in the Kolar-Chikkaballapura District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd., (KOMUL). The Recruitment committee of KOMUL, chaired by KY Nanje Gowda and consisting of four other members, manipulated the interview process. Selected candidates received orders and were sent for training without the public announcement of the final results.
The directors of KOMUL and members of the Recruitment Committee admitted during the search & seizure action that seats were sold for money ranging between Rs.20 to 30 lakhs per seat. It was further revealed that certain politicians had referred candidates for selection, and a total of 30 such references were accommodated.
The investigation disclosed that KY Nanje Gowda, as the head of the recruitment committee, actively and directly participated in the sale of seats and the manipulation of interview marks. The ED has stated that further investigation is underway to unravel the extent of these scandals and bring those involved to justice. The revelations underscore the urgent need for a thorough probe into the nexus between political figures, corruption, and the abuse of power in Karnataka.
